Dampening device for printing machines



July 26, 1938. A. sroBB DAMPENING DEVICE FOR PINTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l July' 26, 1938. A STOBB DAMPENING DEVICE FOR PRINTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lli l In l . Filed Aug. 26, 1935 Y Plitenteii JuiyvZG 1938:

rrr-:o STATES PATENT orrlcr:g

EINES Anton Stobb, Long Island City, N. Y., assigner to R. Hoe & Co., Inc.,New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Yori:

Application August 26, m35, Seniat No. 37,92%?

is claims, ci roiaia This invention reiates to moistening or dampening devices and more particularly to improved dampening rollers for 'use in lithographie or planographic printing machines, and to improved .5 means for supplying suitable moistening huid to the rollers.

In lithographie printing, plates of zinc or other suitable material are employed, and on these plates images are transferred from drawings oi' 10 engravings by a process which results in the eYistence of water-repellent surfaces coextensive with the matter to be printed. Where such plates are used, printers employ a process in which dampening uid is supplied to the plates,

15 and this fluid will adhere to the plates at all points except where the images having the Waterrepellent exists. After subjecting the plates to moisture, the plates are inked and the inlr will adhere to the moisture-repellent portions of the ze, surfaces oi the plates, but not to those portions which have been moistened. As understood by those 'skilled in the art, it is desirable and-essential that an accurately controlledy quantity of suitable inir-repelient moistening fluid, preferably fr, an aqueous. acid solution, be supplied to the planographicprinting plate in the iorln oi a uniform iiuid film. Various means and mechanism have heretofore been employed in attempts to apply a uniform film of water, or suitable inl- Ny repellent fluid, to the printing surface of planographic printing platesin accurately controlled quantities, but, in most instances, much dimculty is experienced in applying a uniform film ci the 'dampen-ing solution to the surface of the print- 3 ing plate, therefore an object of this invention is to provide improved instrumentalities for sup--4 Flying an accurately controlled quantity of suitable ink-repellent dampening fluid to the printing surface of planographic printing plates in 1., the form of a uniform fluid film.

' Another' object of the invention is to provide a moistening or dampening roller for use in lithographic printing machines, and means for supplying a suitable ink-repellent fluid from a re- 43 mote fountain through a conduit and into the interior of the roller and then to the peripheral surface of the roller.

A more specific object of my present invention is to provide a cylindrical dampening or meisten- 5') ing rollerl for use in lithographie printing ma.-

chines, the roller being rotatably mounted on a movable or rockable tubular shaft which extends axially through the roller and' communicates with a fountain in which a constant level of suitable .55 ink-repellent dampening uid or solution is maintained, thereby maintaining a constant iuid ievel in the tubular shaft so that a rocking or oscillator',7 movement of the shait oi predetermined amplitude discharges a predetermined quantity of the dampening fluid into the dampening roller,

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved dampening or moistening roller for y use in lithographie printing machines, the roller being rotatably supported by a movable tubular shaft or conduit which communicates with a fountain containing a suitable ink-repellent dampening Huid, and the fountain being constiucted and arranged to maintain a constant fluid level in the tubular shaft, the tubular shaft being driven by an operating component of the printing machine to thereby discharge a quantity of dampening duid from the tubular shaft into the interior oi the dampening roller, and there being provided manualiy operable instrumentalities under control of an operator for varying the amplitude oi movement imparted to the tubular shari to thereby vary the quantity of iiuid discharged from the tubular shaft or conduit into the moistening roller.

it is also an object oi this invention to provide a dampening roller for use in lithographie printing machines, and fluid supply means therefor, of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as Well as convenient, practical,y serviceable and eicient in its use.

With tlneforegoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details oi' construction hereinaiter described and claimed, it

vbeing understood that various changes in form,

proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of theV invention.

For a complete disclosure of the invention, 4a

detailed description of an improved dampening roller and dampening uid supplying means therefor for use in lithographie printing machines will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specication, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmental vertical sectional view taken yzanzially through the improved dampening roller and through the machine frame, dampening iiuid fountain and reservoir;

Figure 2 is a vertical fragmental sectional view ably mounted.

taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrow; 4and Figure 6 is a fragmental plan view depicting the improved variable leverage drive means forthe tubular shaft or conduit, the view/looking in the direction of the arrow indicated in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, in which similarreference characters designate corresponding parts, there is shown the side members iii and i i of a planographic printing machine frame, and. the side member ii has an aperture i2 formed therein for the reception of a bearing bushing i3 in which a conduit or tubular shaft iti is rotat- The end of the conduit is which is mounted in the bushing i3 has a plug or stop member l@ suitably secured therein, and a thrust ring l l is secured to the tubular shaft or conduit l5 by a set screw or other suitabie securing device indicated at HL thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the conduit 'i5 in a direction towards the end member ll o the machine frame. An aperture it is formed in the side member i@ of the machine frame in axial alinernent with the aperture l2 of the frame member Si, and a.

bearing bushing 2l is positioned within the aperture idto rotatably support the tubular shaft or conduit l5. The bearing bushing 2i, extends axially from a sleeve 22 of a stuillng box or gland, and the sleeve is received in an enlarged aperture 23 formed in the side member iii of the machine frame, and an annular shoulder 251s formed between the aperture 2c 4and enlarged aperture vi3 and against this annular shoulder a suitable packing :material 2S is thrust by the beveled outer terminal v21 of the sleeve 22 to provide a uidtight joint around the bearing bushing 2i. An annular ange 28 extends radially from the sleeve 22, and the outer terminal of the flange tt is cut away to define an annular shoulder d@ which is engaged by an annular rib or flange Si formed on a retaining ring or member 32 which is secured to the frame member i@ by means of bolts er other suitable securing devices indicated at 33, thereby forcing the tubular sleeve 212 inwardly so that its beveled terminal 2i" is thrust against the packing material 26, thus securing the tubular'sleeve 22 and bearing bushing 2i in the frame member le and providing a watertight joint around the bearing bushing 2l. The sleeve 22 of the stuillng box or gland has a recess 35 formed therein for the reception of suitable packing material 36 which is packed tightly around the outer surface of the conduit or tub-ular shaft l5 by a tubular nut or securing member 31 that is threaded into the sleeve 22, as indicated at 38, 'thereby forming a water-tight joint within .the sleeve 22 around the tubular shaft or conduit I5 buiI permitting rot-ation or rocking movement of the tubular shaft.

A casing or housing 0 is secured to the outer surface'of the machine frame side member l0 by belts or other suitable securing devices "4l, land this housing has an upper compartment `providing areservoir 42 for the reception of a suitable dampening fluid to be employed in dampen@ ing the planographic printing plate of the litho-v graphic printing machine. Inasmuch as the coustruction of lithographic printing machines is well understood by those skilled in the art, only the components vof the printing machine which form elements of this invention are here illustrated. A water f tight partition t@ 'extends horizontally across the housing d@ to provide a bottom forvthe reservoir 2 and the top of a fountain d5 formed in the housing dil immediately below the reservoir 12, and an aperture dit is formed in the reservoir housing in order to communicate the fountain d5 with the `aperture i@ formed in the machine frame side member ld. The housing it is secured to the machine frame member it by the bolts or screws di, so that a water-tight joint is provided between the housing dil and the nia-- chine frame member i@ `around the fountain aperture dd, and this water tight joint may be produced by machining the abutting surfaces of ,the machine frame i@ and the fountain housing iid, er; if desired, a gasket of suitable material may be interposed between the machine frame member l@ and the housing d, but inasmuch as the employment of water-tight gaskets is old and well understood in the artthe gasket is not here l illustrated. A removable cover member l5 is secured to the reservoir d2 to form the top thereof,

and this cover d may be removed to supply dampening fluid to the reservoir, or, if preferred, the fluid may be pumped or'otherwise supplied into the reservoir through a suitable conduit from a distant supply source or storage tank. inasmuch as the employment of instrumentalities for` supplying fluid to a. reservoir or tank is.

well understood by those skilled in the art, such device is not illustrated. in order to maintain a constant or predetermined uid level within the fountain 35, suitable control instrumentalities are provided and include a oat il carried by spa-cedarms tt that extend from one -side of a shaft or supporting member 5i) which is pivotally secured within the fountain by screws or other suitable securing devices 5l. The screws 5l extend through bearing bosses 52 formed in the fountain and into the opposed terminals of the shaft 5t, thereby pivotallysupporting the shaft 5d so that the oat ill' may move about the securing members 5i at its pivot or fulcrum point. A finger 53 extends fromone side of the shaft 50 in a direction away from the float 4l and is positioned to engage the lower rounded terminal of a threaded valve stem or screw 55 which is threaded through a frusto conical valve 56, and this screw has a manipulating wing or head 5l formed at its upper terminal. The conical surface of the valve ii engages the conical surface 58 of a soit or yieldable tubular valve seat- 6l) received within a cylindrical recess til formed in the partition member 43, and an outlet aper` vture 62 is formed in the partition i3 at the bot- "thefountain 45, and, in the present instance, a.

manually operable drain valve or socket is secured to the lower terminal of the fountain t5, thereby permitting the dempening uid to be *conveniently kdrained from the fountain.

Spaced antlfrlct-ion bearings @5 are mounted 75 on the tubular shaft or conduit I5, and a tubular member 66 forming the inner cylindrical shell of an improved composite dampening roller is mounted for rotation on the antifrction bearings 65. lAnnuler members or rings 61 are secured at the opposed terminals of the inner cylindrical shell 66 Ato provide fluid-tight joints between the inner surface of the tubular member or cylindrical shell 6 6 and the outer surface of the tubular shaft or conduit I to prevent the escape of the dampening fluid past. the Vantifriction bearings. The tubular member or cylindrical shell B6 is provided with a plurality of pe'rforations 68, preferably at its intermediate portion, and a sleeve 10 formed of felt or other Asuitable soft porous material surrounds the perforated portion of the cylindrical shell 66. An outer tubular member or cylindrical shell 1| surrounds the felt sleeve 10 and is provided with a plurality of perforations 12, preferably alined with the perforations 68 o i the inner cylindrical shell 66, although the alinement of the apertures 68 and 10 is not essential. The outer cylindrical shell 1I is surrounded by a soft porous tubular member or covering 13, preferably formed, of molleton or other cotton fabric, and the opposed terminals of the tubular soft covering 13 are secured to annular members or clamp rings 16 by screws o r other suitable securing devices indicated at 11. The outer surface of each clamp ring 16 is threadedly secured to the ,threaded inner surface 18 of the outer perforated cylindrical shell 1I, and the inner surface of each clamp ring 16 engages an annular shoulder 60 formed on the outer surface of the inner cylindrical shell 66, thereby rigidly securing the outer cylindrical shell 1| to the inner cylindrical shell 66 and also securing the felt `sleeve 10 and molleton covering 13 in position. A thrust ring 6| engages the antlfriction bearings at one end of the inner cylindrical shell 66, and this thrust ring is secured to the conduit or tubular shaft I5 by means of a set screw or other suitable securing device 32,

thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the composite dampening roller towards the frame side member II. Axial or longitudinal movement of the composite dampening roller in a direction towards theframe side member I0 is prevented by means of a split hub or sleeve 83, to be herein-'- after more fully disclosed.

In order to. rock or oscillate the tubular shaft or conduit I5 about its axis, means are provided for operably connecting the tubular shaft I5 with yan operating component of the printing machine, and, to this end, the split hub or sleeve 93 is rigidly clamped to the tubularv member I5 by suitable clamping members or screws 94, best' shown in Figures 2 and 3 lof the drawings. An arm 85 is formed integral with and extends radially from the split hub 03, and the outer terminal of this arm is pivotally secured to spaced links or straps 86, as indicated at 81. The 0pposcd terminals of the links 86 are pivotally secured, as indicated at 88, to'a block 90 which is mounted for sliding movement in a rectangular tions which are mounted for rotation in the lever member 92, as indicated at 99. A manipulating head or knob 99 is secured to one terminal of the screw 91 by a pin or other suitable securing device indicated at |00. The inner terminal of 5 this knob 95 rests against the end of the lever member 92 to prevent inward longitudinal or axial movement of the screw 91 relative to the lever 92, and the opposed terminal of the screw 91 has a collar or washer |0| mounted thereon 10 and secured in position by means of a pin or. other suitable securing device |02. A helical extension spring |03 is interposed between the washer IOI and the end of the lever 92, thereby maintaining the screw 91 in correct longitudinal* 15 position and also aiding in preventing the free rotation of the screw 91. In order to impart movement to the lever 92, an operating component of the printing machine is operably connccted therewith, and, in the exemplary 'form 20 illustrated, a driven shaft |05 of the printing machine is mounted for rotation in the bearings |06 supported by the machine frame member I0, and the outer terminal of the shaft |05 is provided with an oiset or eccentric stud |01 piv- 25 roller when the conduit or tubular shaft |5.is

rocked, as will be hereinafter more fully disclosed,

and,'in the present instance, a longitudinal row of the apertures I9 is provided, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3, although it is to be understood that any preferred number or disposition of the apertures may be resorted to. these apertures is chosen with relation to the fluid level maintained within the conduit I5, so that controlled quantities of fluid may be discharged from the conduit I5 into the composite dampening roller. 4

In operation, a predetermined iiuid level is maintained within the fountain by employing the float 41, "which rises and falls with the -fluid level, and the height of fluid level may be controlled by adjusting the threaded valve stem 50 by rotating its manipulating head 51. thus causing the stem 55 to rotate relative to the valve 56 to thereby cause the lower terminal of the stem to project the desired distance below the valve.

When the uid drops to they selected level the 5d `ringer 53 engages the valve stem 55 andunseats the valve 56, thus admitting fluid from the reservoir 42 into the fountain 45 to again establish the desired fluid level. The fluid level is chosen with relation to the conduit I5 so that there is always G0 some fluid present in the conduit. The operation of the printing machine rotates the shaft |05, which, in turn, moves the lever 92 about its fulcrum stud 93 through the interposed link I06,.

and the movement of the levezl 92 transmits rock- C3 ing or oscillatory movement to the conduit I5 through the interposed links 96 and arm 95. As the arm 95 moves upwardly the apertures I9 ci f the conduit I5 are moved below the fluid level within the conduit |5,.thus causing the fluid to be discharged from the conduit into the tubular shell 66 of the composite dampening roller. The quantity of fluiddischarged from the conduit I5 into the tubular shell 66 of the composite dampening roller is controlled by the position of the The location of 40 sliding block 90 in the lever 92, and when an operator manipulates the knob 99 tod move the block outwardly away. from the fulcrum point of the lever 92, an oscillatory or rocking movement of great amplitude is imparted to the conduit I5, thus causing the apertures I9 of this conduit to remain a longer period of time below the uid llevel and consequently discharge a relatively greater quantity of fluid into the dampening roller. If a smaller quantity of iiuid is to be discharged, the operator manipulates the knob 99.

. dampening roller, this fluid then, owing to the centrifugal actionof the roller, passes through lthe perforations 68 of the tubular shell 66 into the felt sleeve I0 and then through the perforations 'I2 of the outer cylindrical shell 'II intoy the outer molleton covering 13, and from this point the dampening fluid is distributed through the usual rollers, not shown, to the planographic printing plate in conformitywith the usual practice which is well understood by those skilled in the art. When the printing machine is not in operation, the apertures I9 of "the conduit arev positioned above the fluid level of the fountain 45 and conduit I5, thus preventing the discharge of the uid through the apertures I9 into the dampening roller.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening uid, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a movable conduitV having outlet apertures and extending from and communicating with the fountain to convey uid from the fountain towards the roller, driven means for imparting such movement to the movable conduit as to discharge the uid from the conduit through the outlet apertures to the roller.

2. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening fluid, a dampening/roller mounted for rotation, a movable conduit extending axially through the roller and having outlet apertures located within the roller,

the conduit communicating with the fountain to convey iiuid from the fountain into the portion of the conduit which is located within the roller, driven means for imparting such variable movement to the conduit as todischarge variable quantities of iiuid from the conduit through the outlet apertures into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of the fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

3. In a dampening device for printing machines, a'fountain for dampening fluid, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a -rotatable conduit having outlet apertures and extending from and communicating with the fountain to convey uid from the fountain towards the roller, driven means for imparting rotary 4movement of variable amplitude to the conduit wherebyr the said outlet apertures of the conduit are moved `relative to the fluid level in the conduit to discharge variable quantities of fluid from the conduit to the roller commensurate with 'the amplitude of rotary movement of the conduit.

point above the fluid level to a point below the uid level thereby discharging iiuid from the conduit to the roller.

5. In a dampening' device for printingmachines, a, fountain for dampening uid, means for maintaining a constant fluid level in the fountain, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a

' movableconduit having apertures formed therein,

the conduit extending from and communicating withl the fountain'to convey uid from the fountain to the roller, driven means for imparting variable movement to the conduit whereby the conduit apertures are moved from the point above the uid level, through variable paths of travel to points below the fluid level thereby discharging variable quantities of fluid to the roller.

6. In a dampening device for printing ,machines, a fountain for dampening uid, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a conduit extending axially through the roller and having outlet apertures located within the roller, the conduit communicating with the fountain to convey iiuid from the fountainr into the portion of the conduit which is located Within the roller,

the conduit being mounted for rocking movement, driven means for imparting rocking movement of variable amplitude to the conduit Whereby the said outlet apertures are moved relative to the fluid level in the conduit to discharge variable quantities of uid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

7. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening iiuid, a damppening roller mounted for rotation, a rockable conduit having apertures formed therein and extending frorn and'communicating with the fountain to convey uid from the fountain to the roller, driven means for imparting rocking movement of variable amplitude to the conduit'thereby whereby variable quantities of fluid are dis` charged from the conduit to the roller.

8. In a dampening device for printing machines, a, fountain for dampening uid, a rockable conduit communicating with the fountain, a dampening roller mounted for rotation on the conduit, the conduit having outlet apertures formed therein at points located within the roller, driven means for imparting rocking movement to the conduit whereby the said outlet apertures are moved relative to the iiuid level in the conduit to discharge fluid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

9. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening uid, a' rockable conduit communicating with the fountain,

a dampening roller mounted for rotation on thc 'fluid level in the conduit to discharge' variable quantities of fluid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

IIn a dampening device for printing maf chines, a frame having an aperture formed there- Att in, a fountain for dampening fluid supported by the frame, a conduit supported for rocking movement by the frame and communicating with the fountain through the frame aperture.'a dampening roller mounted for rotation onI the conduit, the conduit having outlet 'apertures formed therein at points located within the roller, driven means for imparting rocking movement to the lconduit whereby the said outlet apertures are moved relative to the fluid level in the conduit to discharge fluid from' the conduitv into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of Huid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

ll. In a dampening device for printing machines, a frame. having an aperture formed therein, a fountain for dampening fluid supported by the frame, a conduit supported for rocking movement by the frame and communicating with the fountain through the frame aperture, a dampening roller mounted for rotation on the conduit, the conduit having outlet apertures formed thereinat points located within the roller, driven means for imparting rocking. movement of variable amplitude to the conduit whereby the said outlet apertures are moved-relative to the fluid level in the conduit to-dischar'ge variable quantities of fluid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

l2. In a dampening device for printing machines, a frame having an aperture formed therein, av fountain for dampening uid supported by theframe, means for maintaining constant fluid level inthe fountain, a conduit supported f or rocking movement by the frame and communieating with the fountain through the frame aperture,'a dampeningroller mounted for rotation, the conduit having apertures formed therein at different axial points, driven means for imparting rocking movement of variable amplitude to the conduit thereby moving the apertures frompoints above the fluid level to points below the fluid level to discharge variable quantities of fluid from the conduit to the roller.

13. In a dampening device for'printing machines, a fountain, a reservoir for dampening fluid, means for controlling the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the fountain whereby a constant fluid level is maintained in the fountain. a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a rockable conduit having apertures formed therein at points within the roller, the conduit extending 'axlallythrou'gh the roller and communicating Y with the fountain to convey fluid from the fountain into the roller, driven means for rocking the .conduit thereby moving its` apertures from a point above the fluid level to a point below the fluid level to thereby discharge fluid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

14. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain, a reservoir for dampening fluid, a valve controlling communication between the fountain and the reservoir,l a float actuated member operably positioned in the fountain to control the flow 4of fluid from the reservoir into the fountain to maintain a constant fluid level in the fountain, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a rockable conduit having apertures formed therein at points within the roller, the conduit extending axially through the roller and communicating with the fountain to convey fluid fromthe fountain into the roller, driven means for rocking the conduit to move its apertures from a point above the fluid level to a point below the fluid level to thereby discharge fluid from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of fluid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

l5. In a dampening device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening uid, means for maintaining a constant fluid level in the fountain, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a

-rockable conduit extending from-the fountain and having apertures formed therein, the conduit communicating with the fountain to convey fluid from the fountain to the roller, driveimparting means interposed between a driven component of the printing machine and the conduit for imparting rocking movement to the conduit thereby discharging fluid from the conduit to the roller, and manually controlled means for varying the amplitude of rocking movement imparted to the conduit thereby varying the quantity of fluid discharged from the conduit to the roller.

16. In a dampening' device for printing machines, a fountain for dampening fluid, means for maintaining a constant fluid level in the fountain, a dampening roller mounted for rotation, a rockable conduit extending axially through the roller and having apertures formed therein, the conduit communicating with the fountain to convey fluid from the fountain into the roller, a fulcrum, a lever movable about the fulcrum, means for operably connecting the lever to a driven component of the machine to thereby move the lever about the fulcrum, means for operably connecting the lever with the rockable conduit to thereby rock the conduit to discharge duid from the conduit into the roller,` and manually controlled means for. varying the amplitude of movement imparted by the lever to the rockable conduit thereby varying the quantity of fluid discharged from the conduit into the roller, and means for permitting the passage of uid from the interior of the roller to its exterior.

ANTON STOBB. 

